To help that affirmation, a Web site at diversity.wustl.edu has been launched that outlines key diversity initiatives.

"The Web site will be used to support the goal of the Washington University Diversity Initiative, which is to increase racial diversity and gender balance among the University's faculty and staff," said Leah Merrifield, special assistant to the chancellor for diversity initiatives.

The site pages include the Coordinating Council for Diversity Initiatives (CCDI) membership and contact information, the Chancellor's recent statement on diversity and inclusiveness and a resource links page. The site will grow to include information about the work of the CCDI.

In late 2005, Wrighton convened a retreat to address various diversity issues within the University, and the idea of a Web page was born of that retreat, which included University Council and Coordinating Council for Diversity Initiatives members.

With considerable input from CCDI members; Merrifield; Jill Edwards, project manager for University Accreditation Programs; and Colleen Lyerla, University Web editor, designed the site.

"University faculty and staff, along with anyone else with an interest in diversity-related issues, should find the site useful," Merrifield said. "Contact information for CCDI school/department representatives can be found on the Web page, as well as links to various WUSTL and non-WUSTL diversity resources.

"We welcome ideas and feedback from the University community."